Truly, I’m sure it’s a great book, but I absolutely hate "Goodbye to All That" by Robert Graves. It’s ponderously slow, people are dying all over the place and Graves doesn’t seem affected–which is a damned shame because that’s what the point of the Western Civ paper is supposed to be about.
Admittedly I don’t read historical literature, fiction or non-fiction. I particularly dislike war stories. Not because I’m against war (I am) but because they’re dismal and tend to just name places, move soldiers from trench to trench, and generally the action is so ongoing that it gets boring.
And, Graves, up to this point, doesn’t seem to write with any passion or particular insight. Which is fine, except that that’s what we’re supposed to find in this book–what impact the war and all else had on him. Well, from a Brit with a stiff upper lip attitude, how the hell will I know?
I’ll tell ya, between this paper, another 10-page exam, and the danged nutrition course in summer, I’m ready to say the hell with the stupid degree.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
I’m not a fan of war stories either. There seems to be enough of that in real life. I’m a lighter fare reader. Give me some hope, some laughter, and I’m happy to keep reading.
I’m having a hard time with Goodbye To All That too. Must be something in the air….I could care less….about writing a book review, doing the next exam, or about school in general. It all seems silly at this point.